Andy Coulson, David Cameron's director of communications, is on an annual salary of £140,000, it was revealed today.

Details of the former News of the World editor's remuneration was released by Cameron in a list of the salaries of all the special advisers in government and their pay bands.

The list shows that Coulson is one of three of Cameron's senior aides earning six-figure salaries – the others are Edward Llewellyn and Kate Fall.

Coulson is earning only slightly less than Cameron, who is being paid £142,500. But Coulson is earning more than Nick Clegg, the deputy prime minister. Clegg is paid the same as other cabinet ministers – £134,565.

The number of special adviser posts has also cut from 78 – the number under Gordon Brown – to 68, which includes seven vacancies. It is thought this could reduce the pay bill by as much as £2m. Last year's bill was £6.8m.

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